Caravelle Epicée
by Frapin

A complex, dry and slightly woody mixture of spices. I especially love the nutmeg note, which I like here better than in Jo Malone's Nutmeg and Ginger Cologne. The later tends towards sharpness on me while this is very soft, even with the pepper! The only negative, to me, is the lack of sweetness. I like my spices a little sugary, but that's my sweet tooth/nose! Still, this is very beautiful.

Nice opening to Frapin’s Caravelle Epicee! Dynamic and dramatic, while carrying a lot of depth: I would guess that it’s the patchouli and gaiac wood rising to the top immediately that make the delivery of the top notes so impressive. There are plenty of spices to support those woods: coriander, nutmeg, hot pepper, pepper. The basic spice / herb accord is a combination of coriander, nutmeg, and thyme floating in a neutral patchouli / gaiac wood background. I’ve come to believe that I am anosmic to the hot pepper notes in fragrances, so I don’t get the heat from the pepper notes that would add more variety to the basic spice accord. The top and heart are fairly linear and the heart notes stay close to the skin. The linearity and the close-to-the-skin action continue through the base, which has excellent lasting power. I don’t mind the linearity or the skin scent action in the least. An accord as deep, rich, and intriguing as this one can deliver under those conditions… and deliver it does. I love this one.

Nice blend of spices (mostly nutmeg) with a slight smoky tobacco heart and a amber and sandalwood drydown.